CREATING BEAUTIFUL SMILES WITH
Home Instructions
When your dental work has been completed, there are typically certain care instructions you need to follow once you get home. We have included a variety of dental procedures and the most common home instructions for a full and safe recovery.
Home Care Instructions After Procedures
After undergoing cosmetic reconstruction it will take some time for your new bite to feel ‘normal’ and your brain is partly to blame for that. It has to recognize and adapt to your teeth’s new position or thickness. If your bite does not feel right just give us a call and we will schedule a time to make an adjustment.
Most patients will experience sensitivity to hot and cold but this will subside in a few days once your teeth have healed. You might also experience gum soreness for a couple of days. You can take over the counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen, and any prescribed medication as directed. This can help ease the pain, swelling and discomfort. Rinsing with warm salt water up to three times a day can also help lessen any present pain or swelling.
If you feel that you aren’t talking correctly after cosmetic reconstruction do not be alarmed. It will take just a short time to adapt and then your speech will become normal again. Some patients experience more saliva which typically goes away within a week.
Resume your normal brushing and flossing every day to properly care for your teeth. Eliminating this daily plaque build-up is critical in preventing diseases and ensuring the longevity of your new teeth. Don’t forget to call us and schedule a cleaning appointment regularly throughout the year.
Bridge and crown work can take between 2-3 appointments to complete. Impressions are taken of your mouth, and the teeth are prepped. A temporary crown/bridge may be placed while the lab prepares your permanent restoration. This can take up to 2 weeks. After receiving anaesthetic when the dentist preps your teeth, your roof of mouth, tongue and even lips may feel numb for a few hours. You may wish to avoid any hot drinks or chewing until the numbness has entirely subsided.
If your temporary crown breaks off in the two week period, please call us, bring it in if you have it, and we can put it back on immediately so that there is no compromise to the teeth where the permanent restoration will be applied in the near future.
Occasionally sensitivity to pressure or temperatures can occur after your initial preparatory appointments. No need to worry, when your final restoration is placed you will notice the sensitivity subside within a few weeks. Take any prescribed pain medication as directed by your dentist during this time.
The most important thing to concentrate on after a tooth has been extracted is stopping the bleeding so the gums can heal. A piece of gauze will be placed in your mouth after the tooth is removed. Please leave the gauze in place for up to an hour after your appointment. If you are still experiencing bleeding replace the old gauze with a clean piece of gauze and bite down until the bleeding stops. Sometimes you may have to do this several times before the bleeding completely resides.
A blood clot will form in the space where your tooth was extracted. Leave it alone, as it is part of the healing process. Keeping the blood clot from breaking is very important, as it protects the hole from bacteria and infection. Please avoid sucking on anything, including straws, suckers, candy, etc. Do not drink alcohol, smoke, or brush next to the site for 3 days. These actions could possibly disturb the blood clot and prolong the healing process. Also, please refrain from any vigorous, weight bearing or cardiovascular exercise for a day or so as this can increase blood pressure, and in turn, increase the bleeding.
Apply a cold ice compress if you experience any pain or swelling after the extraction. Your doctor may prescribe a pain medication and/or recommend one for you to take to help with pain relief at home. Swelling should disappear within two days. You can resume normal homecare after 24 hours. It is very important that the area is clean and free from plaque, food, or any debris, so that healing can occur faster.
Prescribed Pain Medication & Antibiotics
After certain procedures you may be prescribed pain medications and/or antibiotics for use at home. Please take these medications as directed by your dentist. With regards to antibiotics, it is important to complete the entire prescription as directed, even if your symptoms disappear after a few days. If you have any questions or concerns related to medications prescribed, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
The dentist will normally have had to numb your teeth to place a composite resin, or white filling, and this local anesthetic may take a few hours to wear off. Refraining from hot fluids and/or chewing might be a good idea during the time when your mouth is numb.
What is very normal after composite restorations are placed is sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures. This can last anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on the size and placement of the filling. If you notice the sensitivity getting worse, please give our office a call. If it is remaining the same, and/or getting better, this is a good sign and may just take some time. Sensitivity to pressure or biting may also occur, and this may be caused by the restoration needing to be filed down slightly, and/or readjusted by the dentist. If you are having pain on chewing/biting, and/or your filling feels “high” after a few days, please call our office to have it assessed.